Ireland beat Scotland 22-15 in a bruising Six Nations clash yesterday to close in on a first championship in 24 years and edge within one victory of repeating its one and only grand slam of 1948.

A powerful Scottish effort gave the home side a 12-9 advantage at the break after fullback Chris Paterson outkicked Irish flyhalf Ronan O'Gara by four penalties to three.

Ireland's recalled scrumhalf Peter Stringer sent replacement number eight Jamie Heaslip away for his second try of the campaign and O'Gara followed up his conversion with a drop goal. He traded penalties with Paterson before the visitors saw the game out.

Ireland faces defending champions Wales in Cardiff next week with a two-point lead on top of the standings and a much greater points-difference advantage as it hopes to at least end its long championship drought.

I don't see wales beating us by more than 13 points to take the championship. I think the game will be VERY close but Ireland will come through. Seems to be huge self belief in the squad at the moment, and they're back it up with results. Either way I think we will have quite a game!!

I think that Pressure on Wales will tell and that they will have a bad first hlf when they try to force the game to much and Ireland will see out the second half and win by 3/6 points with no tries scored by either team.I expect most of the game to be played in Wales half of the pitch.Hook to be brought on for jones by half time as Gatland gets nervous,and Wales fall apart.

Credible win by Ireland & a decent performance by Scotland - could all have been very different barring O'Driscoll's tackle before half time.Hard to call Ireland v Wales...no more than a score in it from what I can see. Ireland with more to play for, but Wales at home and fancying themselves to score tries...squeaky bum time. Bar Ireland v France Ireland seem to have lapsed back into the slow-start mode of a couple of seasons ago which they can not do against the Welsh backline. If they come out firing I fancy the Irish pack to bully the Welsh around the park a bit and that might be enough, if o'gara kicks his goals and the Defence is as good as it has been to now. Come on Ireland !

I have said Ireland for the Grand Slam after watching them beat France in the first game!!Scotland were so unlucky but credit to Ireland they played well!!I think it would of been a different story if scotland had scored just before half time!!

Wasnt the best first half for Ireland but second was good and played mostly in scotland's half. I think we will get the Grand Slam but it wont be easy as wales at home are formiddable. But Ireland hav the quality to beat them.EIRE FOR THE SLAM

Despite stringers good break I don't think he deserves to start against wales. Tomas o leary offers so much more than strings, and i have a terrible feeling that should stringer start he will have a howler. Should be a great game between 2 quality teams though

I think Stringer should take the first 55 - 60 minutes against Wales ... He lacks the physicality and I don't trust his kicking but his defending and physicality outshines Stringer.I say Stringer because he delivers far superior ball which unleashes the backs a lot better.